Kim Kardashian is known for naked self-promotion, literally and figuratively. But for some reason her recent posting of nude photos has produced an unusually strong reaction in Hollywood both for and against the reality television personality.

Kim has posted nude photos before–many times–but she’s never been slammed as hard on social media as she was this time around.

She posted the photos, which were old, to show what she hopes to look like after she sheds some 60 pounds she gained during her pregnancy with son Saint West.

The photos drew the usual social media trolls, who branded her a talentless social media whore. But this time, she also drew comments from mainstream celebrities who were either repelled by her shameless promotion, or defended it as a form of feminism.

Amid the uproar over her first nude selfie, Kim posted this photo, driving up social media attention even more. (Photo: Kim Kardashian/Instagram)

Today, singer Pink was the latest to weigh in with a shout out to all women “who use their “brains,” “strength,” and “work ethic,” to get ahead instead of “tits and asses.”

Kim may have struck a nerve because women’s issues are a hot button issue in Hollywood right now. Jennifer Lawrence ignited the furor when she complained about female actress who are routinely paid less for movies than their male counterparts.

That touched off a chorus of other complaints about how women–especially older women–can’t find decent roles. Added to that were complaints about the overly sexist atmosphere in Hollywood, which is still dominated by white males.

Amid that maelstrom, Kim tossed out her nude photos on Instagram March 6. She’s used the ploy in the past to draw attention to herself, without much reaction. That should have made her latest post that much more banal.

But it wasn’t.

Kim captioned the photo: “When you’re like I have nothing to wear LOL.” It shows her in a bathroom wearing nothing. Her private parts are covered by black bars, so it’s not even revealing.

Social media critics called it “tired” and “pathetic;” others made jokes about it. But within a day or so, Hollywood started weighing in.

Singer Bett Midler wrote a stinging quip. “Kim Kardashian tweeted a nude selfie today. If Kim wants us to see a part of her we’ve never seen, she’s gonna have to swallow the camera.”

Kim fired back on Twitter accusing Middler of being a “fake friend” because Middler had once sent her a gift. Middler retorted that Kim could take selfies, but couldn’t take a joke.

Actress Chloe Moretz and UK columnist Piers Morgan, also slammed the reality star, who has never garnered much favor among “serious” actors in Hollywood.

“I truly hope you realize how important setting goals are for young women, teaching them we have so much more to offer than just our bodies.” Moretz wrote. But that provoked social media criticism that she was “slut shaming” Kardashian.

“There’s a huge difference in respecting the platform that you’re given as a celebrity and ‘slut shaming’ something I never have done and would never do,” Moretz respond.

Kim responded by putting her foot in her mouth. She mocked Moretz for being “nobody.” In fact, Moretz is not only well-known, but also highly regarded as an actress. Kim may be better known, but for what?